Medica Plantarum

bring some botanical

knowledge into your game

by Rishi R. Masalia
Plant Biology, PhD

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Not for resale. For personal use only. Enjoy the wonderful world of plants & fungi! MEDICA PLANTARUM 1
 Table of Contents:
Who is this for?... 3
Introduction... 3
Mechanic Overview... 4
Redesigned Herbalism Kit... 4
Herbalism Notebook... 5
5 Standard Recipes... 5
Deciphering & Copying a Recipe... 5
Replacing Your Notebook... 6
Foraging... 6
Crafting... 6
Learning New Recipes... 7
Obtaining a Recipe... 7
Deformulation of Existing Potions... 7
Discovery of Novel Potions... 8
Formulas... 9
33 Core Potions... 9
Example Homebrew Potions... 11
Appendix I: Biomes... 12
Appendix II: Damage Ingredients.... 15
Appendix III: Ingredient Descriptions... 16

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Who is this for?
Medica Plantarum was named after
two ancient plant texts, Dioscorides’
De materia medica and Theophrastus’
Historia Plantarum, and is designed
to expand on the role of herbalism in
TTRPGs.

It’s for players or GMs who think plants

and fungi are cool, and are looking for
an interesting way to bring some real
botany into their games.

On the surface, this is a mechanic to

create new potions, fill party downtime,
or inspire character agency. At its core,
this is an educational guide for players
or GMs who want to use real plant
biology to inform their potion craft.
Medica Plantarum presents biology,
history, folklore, and mythology to give
folks a unique lens in which to discover
the wonder of plant diversity.

The ultimate goal of this guide is to

inspire players and GMs to create their
own potions by learning about the
plants around them.

Introduction
As a plant scientist and avid TTRPGer, I am always on the lookout for interesting ways to integrate plants
into the campaigns I GM. While there are a few other herbalism expansions and mechanics out there, none
focused on the plants themselves. This is a bit disappointing as plants are fascinating and have been a
major aspect of human civilization for millenia. Our food, alcohol, medicines, poisons, resins, oils, plastics,
building materials are all currently, or were once derived from plants. They are diverse and beautiful, and
it’s my hope with this guide to inspire others to learn more about plants, how we interact with them, and
how we can conserve them.

While the front half of this guide focuses on the expanded herbalism mechanic, it’s the back half that I’d
like folks to see. Here, the focus is on the ingredients that need to be combined to generate these potions.
Appendix I: Biomes is based on real world plant distributions, this appendix serves as a reference for rarity
of these ingredients as players travel your world. Appendix II: Damage Ingredients, categorizes plants based
on certain properties: religious connotations, a relationship to fire, use as a poison, and so on. Finally,
Appendix III: Ingredient Descriptions, is a referenceable list of 100 plant and fungi entries. Each entry is
designed to be quick, informative, and fun. They describe pertinent aspects about an entry’s biology, history,
or folklore that showcase why it contributes to the potion(s) it does. Hopefully, you’ll find Medica Plantarum
useful, fun, and educational. All I want from this is for folks to have fun playing TTRPGs and discover, or
rediscover, how amazing plants are.

Cheers and happy rolling!

Rishi
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 Herbalism Overview
This emphasis on herbalism is designed to enhance
an element of TTRPGs. It’s important to note that
this mechanic is not designed to simulate real
herbalism, master herbalists understand a suite
of nuances such as ingredient potencies, storage
limitations, and preparation types that would be
clunky to recreate in game. Rather we wanted to
streamline the process, while still instilling that
sense of study, curiosity, stewardship, and cultural
significance associated with plants and herbalism.
On a macroscale, this mechanic provides characters
with primary or secondary goals and incentives,
while providing GMs with hooks for plot or NPCs
as well as additional rewards beyond magical items
or currency. In game, this mechanic provides an
alternative goal during short rests, overland travel,
or shopping as characters forage for, or purchase
ingredients. These ingredients can then be crafted
into potions providing an alternative method for
acquiring useful potions or performing some
spells. Similar to a wizard’s spellbook, a character’s
Herbalist Notebook can grow with the character and
player, giving them a deeper sense of progress and
character development than simply leveling up.
At its core, this mechanic centers around the
Herbalist’s Notebook, and has three phases:
Foraging, Crafting, and Learning New Recipes.
All learned recipes for potions are stored in the
Herbalist’s Notebook. Foraging is the act of surveying,
identifying, and storing raw ingredients gathered
during the game. Crafting a potion requires both a
recipe and the necessary ingredients. New recipes
can be acquired, deformulated, or even discovered,
often encouraging players to research real-world
plants and fungi for the creation of new recipes
beneficial to their character.
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Redesigned Herbalism Kit:
This kit contains a variety of essential implements
and instruments used by modern herbalists for the
crafting of tinctures, salves, and infusions, herein
referred to in the collective as, potions. While kits
can have some degree of variability based on price,
all kits should be made of lightweight canvas or
cotton and contain pouches for collected herbs, vi-
als, glass jars both empty and filled with solvents,
wax, measuring utensils and sheers. More expen-
sive kits can additionally come with scales and/or
a mortar and pestle. Each kit comes with a writing
implement as well as a standard Herbalist’s Note-
book for writing down notes, lessons, and potion
recipes. Similar to a Wizard’s spellbook, an Herbal-
ist’s Notebook is the physical manifestation of their
knowledge and skill, and is required for the cre-
ation of potions from foraged ingredients. Finally,
kits come with a small plant identification guide
for all common plants in the 10 major biomes. Ad-
vanced books can be acquired allowing characters
to identify uncommon, and rare plants.
Based on the Herbalism Kit in Dungeons & Drag-
ons 5th Edition, proficiency with this kit lets you
add your proficiency bonus to any ability checks
you make regarding foraging or crafting potions
based on recipe. Further, you can become profi-
cient with this tool kit at level 1, or after you have
successfully crafted 5 potions.
Other Took Kits:
This expansion focuses on the redesign of the Dun-
geons & Dragons 5th Edition Herbalism Kit, other re-
lated kits: Alchemist’s Supplies, Poisoner’s Kit, Heal-
er’s Kit, and Brewer’s Supplies remain in their original
Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition form. In future ex-
pansions, we hope to tackle redesigns for these kits.
Herbalism Notebook:
Your Herbalist notebook is a physical manifestation
of your knowledge and skill. Herbalism notebooks
can take a variety of forms, from training books
you practiced with as a student, to ornately illus-
trated volumes hidden away in a tomb or ancient
library, or even a loose collection of colorful square-
shaped notes that have an order and handwriting
only you know.
Regardless of look, Herbalist notebooks come with
5 standard recipes, and serve to document your
progress as an herbalist, specifically containing
learned potion recipes. Part ingredient list part
practiced protocol, recipes are how potions are
crafted with accuracy and consistency. Used for
religious, spiritual, and medicinal ceremonies,
herbalism is an ancient trade spanning cultures,
and as such there are established, forgotten, and
undiscovered recipes. Any recipe a character pos-
sesses can be used to craft the corresponding
potion provided the character has the requisite
ingredients.
Characters can obtain recipes through numerous
mechanisms; beg, borrow, barter, buy, or burgle
recipes from other herbalists or apothecaries, as
well as deformulation and discovery for those ad-
vanced herbalists. A character’s herbalist notebook
can contain as many potion recipes as they can
acquire or discover.
5 standard recipes:
Healing Potion Basic (Common)
One unit each of: Dandelion, Echinacea, Willow Bark,
Yarrow
Creature heals 2d4+2 hp.
Potion of Darkvision (Common)
One unit each of: Cannabis, Carrots, Passionflower
When drunk, a creature gains the benefits of
darkvision up to 60-ft for 1 hour. If this creature
already has darkvision, their range increases by
60-ft.
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Potion of Academic Pursuit (Common)
One unit each of: Any Brassica vegetable, Coffee,
Cannabis, Maize, Sunflower
When drunk, a creature gains advantage on any
intelligence ability check or any ability check
involving Tinker’s Tools for the next hour.
Potion of Climbing (Common)
One unit each of: Grapevine, Passionflower, can
substitute Kudzu for any ingredient
When drunk, a creature gains a climbing speed
equivalent to its walking speed for 1 hour and
gains advantage on Strength (Athletics) checks.
Potion of Water Breathing (Common)
One unit each of: Rice, Water Lily, Algae or Kelp
When drunk, a creature can breathe underwater for
1 hour.
Deciphering & Copying a Recipe:
When you find an herbal recipe, you can add it
to your Herbalist’s Notebook if you can spare the
time to decipher and copy it. Any common and
uncommon potion recipe can be easily understood
and copied into the Herbalist’s Notebook.
Deciphering more complex recipes requires
advanced herbalism knowledge gained through
your own experiences.
To see if you can decipher a complex recipe, roll a
percentage die. Any value lower than 4 multiplied
by the number of recipes in your Herbalist
Notebook is considered a success. Thus, when a
character has 25 recipes they can decipher any
new recipe.
Copying that recipe into your Herbalist Notebook
involves crafting the potion, and thus requires
the ingredient list in addition to the recipe itself.
You must practice crafting the potion until
you understand the intricacies required, then
transcribe it into your Herbalist Notebook using
your own shorthand and helpful notes.
MEDICA PLANTARUM 5
 For each recipe you copy and practice, the process
consumes the list of ingredients and takes a certain
period of time (see table below). Once you have
completed the copying process, you can craft that
potion if you have the ingredients. These times can
be changed at the discretion of your GM.
Deciphering & Copying Table:
Potion Type Time
Common 1 hour
Uncommon 4 hours
Rare 10 hours
Very Rare / Legendary 20 hours
Replacing Your Notebook:
The base Herbalist’s Notebook is not a magical item,
though it should be safeguarded and/or copied.
Losing your notebook is a real fear for traveling
herbalists, with many transcribing their notes and
recipes into a backup copy. Copying any recipe and
margin notes from your notebook into a backup
copy takes 1 hour, and requires no ingredients.
If a character loses their notebook or it is destroyed
and there is no backup in place, they can attempt to
recreate it and the recipes contained in the notebook
through one of the following mechanisms:
Recreate Per Recipe:
An intelligence check (suggested DC15) incorporating
proficiency bonus and appropriate modifiers can
successfully regurgitate the recipe. Each recipe requires
a separate check. This is not recommended for more
than 10 recipes.
Frequently Used:
The top 20% (rounding down) most frequently used
recipes are remembered automatically (minimum. 5
recipes). The remaining recipes are forgotten.
Note, if the character has taken the keen mind
feature, they can recreate the entire book from
memory.
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Foraging
Herbalism ingredients, plants and fungi, are spread
across 10 biomes (see Ingredients by Biome section
below) and placed into three rarity categories:
common, uncommon, and rare. Additionally,
certain potion recipes will call for specific plant and
fungal tissues (bark, roots, leaves, etc).
A character may spend a minimum of 1 hour during
rest, travel, or downtime between adventures
foraging for ingredients from which potions may
be derived. This time encompasses surveying,
foraging, and safely storing the materials. To forage
ingredients, a character must make an Intelligence
(Nature) ability check to determine what, if any,
ingredient materials they are able to source. We
recommend the following for difficulty:
Foraging Results Table:
Roll Foraging Result
Plenty of plants/fungi, but none useful for
1-4
herbalism
5 - 10 Yields common ingredients by biome
Yields common & uncommon ingredients
11 - 17
by biome
18+ Yields any rarity ingredient by biome
See the Reference Charts and Ingredient Appendix
for included plants and fungi.
(Optional Rule) I’ve Seen This Before:
A trained herbalist will keep notes on when and where
certain wild plants and fungi are located. Thus, forag-
ing becomes easier for items previously found, reducing
the rarity of a certain ingredient by one category.
Crafting
A character can craft a potion if they have the
recipe in their Herbalist Notebook, the necessary
ingredients, and 1 hour to properly execute the
protocol. Trained herbalists value dedicated
research, training, and consistency, as such there
is no roll associated with crafting potions.
Learning New Recipes
A wide world of potions exist outside the standard
5 given with every Herbalist Notebook. There is no
shortage of ways characters can obtain new recipes.
The town apothecary or arcane shop may part with
trade secrets for the right price or rare ingredient.
Other traveling herbalists from the continental
outer territories may eagerly swap recipes to
enhance their own knowledge. While adventuring,
combat herbalists can swipe potion knowledge
from the pockets or gilded halls of their enemies.
Beyond simple acquisition of previously established
recipes, characters can attempt to deformulate a
recipe from an existing potion or flex their creative
muscles to discover new potions through real-world
research using the Ingredient Appendix as a guide.
Regardless of the method by which a character gains
a recipe, once they have one they can copy it in their
Herbalist’s Notebook.
Obtaining a Recipe:
Characters can find new recipes throughout the
world. Characters are encouraged to beg, borrow,
barter, buy, or burgle recipes from other herbalists
or apothecaries. If research is more their speed,
characters can try to find recipes buried in books,
revered in temple folklore, or scrawled on ancient
ruins. A character who finds a recipe in such
a manner need only copy this recipe into their
Herbalist Notebook to craft the potion at a later time.
Deformulation of Existing Potions:
Characters who find new potions can attempt to
reverse engineer a recipe through deformulation,
provided the character has alchemist’s supplies.
In deformulation, the character separates, tests,
and generally investigates the potion to identify
key ingredients and how they were processed.
Deformulating consumes the potion and takes time
to complete.
In addition to the time to study, we encourage
GMs to tack on an Intelligence-based check to this
process to ground this ability in character stats. At
the GM’s discretion, a high roll could reduce the
time required to deformulate an existing potion
Deformulation Table:
Potion Type Time
Common 1 hour
Uncommon 4 hours
Rare 10 hours
Very Rare / Legendary 20 hours
It’s up to the GM’s discretion if a potion can be
deformulated into a recipe that the herbalist
understands.

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 Discovery of Completely New Potions: As science and the process of discovery are built on
previous knowledge, if you are creating a recipe that
Unleash your inner herbalist and research real- expands or augments an already established recipe
world herbal remedies, brews, tinctures, and potions subtract 20 from your roll.
based on plants and fungi. Use this knowledge to
create your own potion recipes for your character.
Present your GM with a recipe using ingredients
from the provided Ingredient Appendix or others
not listed. Based on the intended potion effect,
you should provide reasoning for including specific
ingredients be they based on medicinal or chemical
properties, religious or cultural significance, or
folklore or mythological tales. Your GM has final say
on the recipe, determining if it’s too powerful, has
other effects, or requires more ingredients not listed.

Bring the Potion into the World

Once a new recipe is approved, your character needs
to bring it into the world.

Unlike crafting an established recipe, these

recipes require a percentage die roll to see if you
can successfully craft your new potion. Similar
to deciphering a complex recipe, any value lower
than 4 multiplied by the number of recipes in your
Herbalist Notebook is considered a success and a
potion is created. If you fail the roll the ingredients
are consumed, but you gain valuable knowledge on
the discovery process. Next time you attempt to craft
this potion subtract 35 from your roll.

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 Formulas: Giant Strength, Hill (Uncommon)
Ingredients: California Redwood, Any Piercing /
Slashing / Bludgeoning DMG (3)
We’ve provided formulas for the 33 Core Dungeons When drunk, a creature’s Strength score is increased
and Dragons 5th Edition potions as noted in the to 21 for 1 hour.
Player’s Handbook and Dungeon Master’s Guide.
Additionally, we have crafted our own potions
and brews to expand the utility of this guide and Giant Strength, Stone (Rare)
replicate some spell effects. We also encourage Ingredients: California Redwood, Living Stone,
GMs and players to investigate the natural world Australia Buloke
around them and craft their own formulas. More
When drunk, a creature’s Strength score is increased
information about each ingredient can be found in
to 23 for 1 hour.
the Ingredient Appendix.

Each formula has a name, a rarity, ingredients,
and the resulting effect. Per formula, ingredients
are listed in alphabetical order, with numbers after
each ingredient indicating how many uses of that
ingredient are needed. In some marked instances, a
specific plant tissue is required to craft the potion.
For plants in specific damage (DMG) categories,
refer to the Ingredient by Damage Appendix.
Core Potions
Giant Strength, Storm (Legendary)
Ingredients: California Redwood, Flying Sandwort,
Lightning Jewel Orchid, Vervain, Any Thunder DMG
When drunk, a creature’s Strength score is increased
to 29 for 1 hour.
Healing Potion, Basic (Common)
Ingredients: Dandelion, Echinacea, Willow bark,
Yarrow
Player heals 2d4+2 hp.

Elixir of Health (Rare) Healing Potion, Greater (Uncommon)

Ingredients: Jewelweed, Artemisia (2), Coca Leaves Ingredients: Echinacea, Willow bark, Yarrow, St.
John’s Wort, Hyssop
When drunk, it cures any disease; removed blinded,
deafened, paralyzed, and poisoned conditions. Player heals 4d4+4 hp.

Giant Strength, Cloud (Very Rare) Healing Potion, Superior (Rare)

Ingredients: California Redwood, Flying Sandwort, Ingredients: Echinacea, Willow bark, Yarrow, St.
Lightning Jewel Orchid John’s Wort, Comfrey, Opium
When drunk, a creature’s Strength score is increased Player heals 8d4+8 hp.
to 27 for 1 hour.
Healing Potion, Supreme (Very Rare)
Giant Strength, Fire (Rare) Ingredients: Echinacea, Willow bark, Yarrow, Com-
Ingredients: California Redwood, Carolina Reaper (2), frey, Opium, Resurrection Moss
Turmeric Player heals 10d4+ 20 hp.
When drunk, a creature’s Strength score is increased
to 25 for 1 hour.
Oil of Etherealness (Rare)
Ingredients: Ayahuasca, Ergot Fungus, Magic
Giant Strength, Frost (Rare) Mushroom, Pennyroyal
Ingredients: California Redwood, Any Cold DMG (2) The vial has enough oil to cover a medium or smaller
When drunk, a creature’s Strength score is increased creature; 10 minutes to apply. Creature gains the
to 23 for 1 hour. effect of the etherealness spell for 1 hour.

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 Oil of Slipperiness (Uncommon)
Ingredients: Banana peel, Marsh-mallow root,
Slippery Elm
The vial has enough oil to cover a medium or smaller
creature; 10 minutes to apply. Creature gains the
effect of a freedom of movement spell for 8 hours.
The oil can be poured on the ground covering a 10-
foot square, creating the grease spell effect for 8
hours.
Philter of Love (Uncommon)
Ingredients: Catnip, Damiana, Horny Goat Weed,
Rose petals
The creature that drinks this potion will become
charmed by the next creature it sees within 10
minutes for a duration of 1 hour.
Potion of Animal Friendship (Uncommon)
Ingredients: Catnip, Carrots, Oats, can substitute
Scotch Broom for any ingredient
When drunk, a creature can perform the animal
friendship spell (save DC 13) for 1 hour at will.
Potion of Clairvoyance (Rare)
Ingredients: African Dream Root, Cannabis, Carrot,
Nutmeg, Wormwood
When drunk, a creature gains the effect of the
clairvoyance spell.
Potion of Climbing (Common)
Ingredients: Grapevine, Passionflower, can substi-
tute Kudzu for any ingredient
When drunk, a creature gains a climbing speed
equivalent to its walking speed for 1 hour and gains
advantage on Strength (Athletics) checks made to
climb.
Potion of Diminution (Rare)
Ingredients: California Redwood seeds, Duckweed,
Moss Sunray
When drunk, a creature gains the “reduce” effect of the
enlarge/reduce spell for 1d4 hours (no concentration
required).
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Potion of Fire Breath (Uncommon)
Ingredients: Carolina Reaper, Cayenne (2), Turmeric
When drunk, a creature can use its bonus action to
exhale fire at a target within 30 feet. The target must
take 4d6 fire damage or succeed on a DC 13 Dexterity
saving throw to halve the damage. The effect ends
after exhaling fire 3 times, or after 1 hour.
Potion of Flying (Very Rare)
Ingredients: Burmese Lacquer, Dandelion, Maize,
Opium OR Magic Mushroom, Any Alpine biome plant
When drunk, a creature gains a flying speed equal to
its walking speed for 1 hour.
Potion of Gaseous Form (Rare)
Ingredients: Any three uncooked Brassica
vegetables, Dandelion
When drunk, a creature gains the effect of the gaseous
form spell for 1 hour (no concentration required).
Potion of Growth (Uncommon)
Ingredients: Algae, Bamboo, Kudzu
When drunk, a creature gains the “enlarge” effect
of the enlarge/reduce spell for 1d4 hours (no
concentration required).
Potion of Haste (Very Rare)
Ingredients: Coca leaves, Coffee beans, Lotus leaf,
milky Oats
When drunk, a creature gains the effect of the haste
spell for 1 minute (no concentration required).
Potion of Heroism (Rare)
Ingredients: dried Borage flowers, Hawthorn bark
(2), Vervain
When drunk, a creature gains 10 temporary HP that
last for 1 hour as well as the effects of the bless spell
(no concentration required) for the same duration.
Potion of Invisibility (Very Rare)
Ingredients: Ghost Pipe, Haworthia, Spotted Water
Hemlock, can substitute Living Stone for any
ingredient
When drunk, a creature becomes invisible for 1 hour
along with anything it’s carrying or wearing. The effect
ends early if the creature makes an attack or casts a
spell.

Potion of Invulnerability (Rare)

Ingredients: Ashwagandha, Borage, White Sage, Pick
any four: Agave sap, Elderberry, Grapevine, Maize,
Rice, or Wormwood
When drunk, a creature gains resistance to all damage
for 1 minute.
Potion of Longevity (Very Rare)
Ingredients: Ginkgo, Reishi Mushroom, Yew bark
When drunk, a creature’s physical age is reduced
by 1d6 + 6 years, to a minimum of 13 years. Each
subsequent time a creature drinks this potion, there
is 10% cumulative chance that it will instead age 1d6
+6 years.
Potion of Vitality (Very Rare)
Ingredients: Reishi Mushroom, Sunflower oil,
Turmeric
Crimson liquid that pulses like a heartbeat with dull
light. When drunk, a creature’s exhaustion is removed
and any diseases or poison effects are cured. For the
next 24 hours, the creature regains the maximum
number of HP for any Hit Die spent.
Potion of Water Breathing (Uncommon)
Ingredients: Rice, Water Lily, Algae or Kelp
When drunk, a creature can breathe underwater for
1 hour.

Potion of Mind Reading (Rare)

Ingredients: Ayahuasca (2), Magic Mushroom, Peyote
When drunk, a creature gains the effect of the detect
thoughts spell (save DC 13).
Potion of Poison (Uncommon)
Ingredients: Castor Bean, Deadly Nightshade or
Spotted Water Hemlock
An identify spell will reveal its true nature. When
drunk, a creature takes 3d6 poison damage and must
succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or be
poisoned. If poisoned, the creature takes 3d6 poison
damage at the start of each of its turns until the effect
is ended. The creature can repeat the saving throw at
the end of each of its turns. On a successful save, the
damage on each subsequent turn is decreased by 1d6
until it hits 0.
Homebrew Potions
Potion of Resurrection (Legendary)
Ingredients: Baobab bark, Corpse Flower,
Resurrection Moss, Water Lily, Any Necrotic DMG,
Any Radiant DMG
When drunk, a creature that has died within the last
minute gains the effect of the revivify spell.
Potion of Commune (Rare)
Ingredients: Any Radiant DMG (3)
When drunk, a creature can contact a deity or divine
proxy and gains the benefits of the commune spell.

Lucky Cat (Very Rare)

Potion of Resistance (Uncommon)
Ingredients: Banana leaf, Herb-of-Grace, Waxy
Milkweed, plant from desired resistance DMG type
A potion that when drunk, grants a creature resistance
to one type of damage for 1 hour.
Ingredients: four-leafed Clover, Jade Plant,
Sunflower
When drunk, a creature is imbued with incredible
good fortune. Add +3 to all attacks, ability checks,
and saving throws for 1 hour. After the effect wears
off, roll a d6, on a 3 or lower you are considered
poisoned for 1 hour.

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 Potion of Darkvision (Common)
Ingredients: Cannabis, Carrots, Passionflower
When drunk, a creature gains the benefits of
darkvision up to 60-ft for 1 hour. If this creature
already has darkvision, their range increases by 60-ft.
Potion of Restfulness (Rare)
Ingredients: Ashwagandha, Coffee beans (3),
Passionflower, milky Oats
When drunk, it can replace the benefits of a long-rest.
Potion Curse Removal (Very Rare)
Ingredients: Baobab bark, Herb-of-Grace,
Motherwort, White Sage
When drunk, a creature benefits from the remove
curse spell.
Biomes
Appendix
Below is our list of plants distributed across the
major biomes designations of Earth. The designation
of a plant in a particular biome is based on a natural
distribution (broadly speaking) of these plants.
While this guide is designed to communicate real
plant science, we also realize that this is intended
for implementation in a TTRPG where game
mechanics also need to be considered. To aid in the
game mechanics, rarity has been assigned to each
plant, in each biome. Plants used in more common
formulas will be easier to find in a given biome, thus
providing GMs with both guidance and flexibility
when rewarding players pursuing an herbal path.

Alpine
Potion of Glowstick (Common) Rarity Ingredient
Ingredients: Fairy Fire, Ghost Fungi Common Maize
When vigorously shaken, the pulpy liquid begins to Uncommon Ashwagandha
glow a bright bluish-green, that sheds light in a 20-ft Uncommon Bearberry
radius and dim light for an additional 20-ft. This glow Rare Cannabis
stick lasts for 1 hour.
Rare Damiana
Legendary Flycatcher Sandwort
Potion of Tracker (Uncommon)
Ingredients: Pitcher Plant, Sunflower head
Coastal
When drunk, a creature has a heightened ability to
track and perceive enemies, and gains the benefits of Rarity Ingredient
Hunter’s Mark for 1 hour. Common Agave
Common Algae
Common Dagger Plant
Potion of Academic Pursuit (Rare) Common Yarrow
Ingredients: Any Brassica vegetable, Coffee, Uncommon African Dream Root
Cannabis, Maize, Sunflower
Uncommon Burnet Rose
When drunk, a creature gains advantage on any
Uncommon Carrot
intelligence ability check or any check involving
Uncommon Citron
Tinker’s Tools for the next 10 minutes.
Uncommon Hawthorn
Uncommon Marsh-mallow
Uncommon Sunflower
Uncommon White Sage
Rare Baobab
Rare Haworthia
Rare Herb-of-Grace
Rare Jade Plant

12 MEDICA PLANTARUM Enjoy the wonderful world of plants & fungi! Not for resale. For personal use only.
Desert Grassland
Rarity Ingredient Rarity Ingredient
Common Agave Common Clover
Common Prickly Pear Common Dandelion
Uncommon Dagger Plant Common Echinacea
Uncommon Hawthorn Common Fig
Uncommon Peyote Common Hawthorn
Uncommon Saguaro Common Maize
Uncommon Wax Milkweed Common Oats
Uncommon White Sage Common St. John’s Wort
Rare Fantsiolotse Common Sunflower
Rare Living Stone Common Wormwood
Legendary Resurrection Moss Common Yarrow
Uncommon African Dream Root
Uncommon Baobab
Freshwater Uncommon Brassica
Rarity Ingredient Uncommon Burnet Rose
Common Algae Uncommon Cannabis
Common Common Reed Uncommon Carrot
Common Duckweed Uncommon Comfrey
Common Marsh-mallow Uncommon Herb-of-Grace
Common Water Lily Uncommon Hyssop
Common Willow Uncommon Jade Plant
Uncommon Passionflower Uncommon Mediterrean Cypress
Common Pitcher Plant Uncommon Motherwort
Common Rice Uncommon Pennyroyal
Common Slippery Elm Uncommon Vervain
Common Vervain Rare Citron
Rare Arctic Moss Rare Damiana
Rare Lotus Rare Ergot Fungus
Rare Spotted Water Hemlock Rare Fantsiolotse
Rare Moss Sunray
Rare Opium
Rare Small Poranthera

Marine
Rarity Ingredient
Common Algae
Common Kelp

Temperate Forest
Rarity Ingredient
Common Burnet Rose
Common Cannabis
Common Catnip
Common Clover
Common Elderberry

Not for resale. For personal use only. Enjoy the wonderful world of plants & fungi! MEDICA PLANTARUM 13
 Rarity Ingredient
Common Fairy Fire
Common Fig
Common Ghost Fungi
Common Herb-of-Grace
Common Jewelweed
Common Kudzu
Common Magic Mushroom
Common Mediterrean Cypress
Common Passionflower
Common Scotch Broom
Common St. John’s Wort
Common Willow
Uncommon Artemisia
Uncommon Australian Buloke
Uncommon Deadly Nightshade
Uncommon Eucalyptus
Uncommon Furze
Uncommon Ghost Pipe
Uncommon Ginkgo
Uncommon Grapevine
Uncommon Horny Goat Weed
Uncommon Mistletoe
Uncommon Pennyroyal
Uncommon Saw Palmetto
Uncommon Slippery Elm
Uncommon Wormwood
Uncommon Yew Tree Tropical Forest
Rare California Redwood Rarity Ingredient
Rare Moss Sunray Common Ayahuasca
Rare Reishi Mushroom Common Banana
Common Carolina Reaper
Common Castor Bean
Common Cayenne
Common Coffee
Common Tulsi
Uncommon Bamboo
Uncommon Burmese Lacquer
Uncommon Cannabis
Uncommon Coca
Uncommon Dynamite Tree
Uncommon Nutmeg
Uncommon Passionflower
Uncommon Pineapple
Uncommon Turmeric
Rare Lightning Jewel Orchid
Rare Magic Mushroom
Legendary Corpse Flower

14 MEDICA PLANTARUM Enjoy the wonderful world of plants & fungi! Not for resale. For personal use only.
Urban Rarity Ingredient
Rarity Ingredient Uncommon Clover
Common Banana Fruit Uncommon Jade Plant
Common Brassica Uncommon Kudzu
Common Carrot Uncommon Magic Mushroom
Common Dandelion Uncommon Mediterrean Cypress
Common Fig Fruit Uncommon Nutmeg
Common Grapevine Uncommon Sunflower
Common Maize Uncommon Turmeric Powder
Common Oats Uncommon Wormwood
Common Pineapple Fruit Uncommon Yew Tree
Common Rice Rare Damiana
Common Yarrow Rare Ergot Fungus
Uncommon Bamboo Rare Motherwort
Uncommon Borage Rare Pennyroyal
Uncommon Burnet Rose
Uncommon Cannabis
Uncommon Catnip Tundra
Uncommon Cayenne Powder Rarity Ingredient
Common Arctic Moss
Common Bog Labrador Tea
Uncommon Bearberry

Damage Ingredients
Appendix
Damage Type Ingredients
Acid Common Reed, Pineapple, Pitcher Plant

Bludgeoning Australian Buloke, Bamboo

Cold Arctic Moss, Bearberry, Bog Labrador Tea

Fire Carolina Reaper, Eucalyptus

Force Bamboo, Dynamite Tree

Lightning Hawthorn, Lightning Jewel Orchid

Necrotic Mediterrean Cypress, Yew Tree

Piercing Burnet Rose, Fantsiolotse, Prickly Pear, Saguaro

Poison Castor Bean, Elderberry, Mistletoe, Yew Tree

Psychic Ayahuasca, Cannabis

Radiant Citron, Fig, Lotus, Tulsi, WIllow

Slashing Agave, Dagger Plant, Saw Palmetto

Thunder Furze, Scotch Broom

Not for resale. For personal use only. Enjoy the wonderful world of plants & fungi! MEDICA PLANTARUM 15

Ingredient
Descriptions
Appendix
African Dream Root (Root)
Silene undulata
Grown for its roots, this fragrant and short-lived
plant is native to the Eastern cape of Africa. Regarded
as a sacred plant by the Xhosa people in present day
South Africa this root is used by shamans to induce
lucid dreams.
Agave
Agave
Agave is a genus of plants primarily known for its
succulent and arid-loving (xerophytic) species. The
rosette shaped, succulent leaves of most Agave
species have sharp teeth that can cut the skin.
The sap of Agave plants can produce the alcoholic
beverages of mezcal and pulque, while Agave
tequilana or Blue Agave is used to produce tequila
a favorite snack of migrating animals.
Artemisia
Artemisia
Named after the Greek goddess Artemis, plants
in this genus have varied medicinal benefits.
Artemisinin, derived from Artemisia annua leaves,
is a standard agent used to treat malaria. Artemisia
cina is a source of santonin, a drug that expels
parasitic worms, while Artemisia absinthium is
used to make the spirit absinthe (see wormwood).
In rats, Artemisia austriaca has been shown to
reduce morphine.
Ashwagandha (Root)
Withania somnifera
Ashwagandha or the winter cherry is a medicinal
plant with an orange-red fruit surrounded by a
paper husk derived from the calyx. Powderized
ashwagandha root has been used as a traditional
Indian medicine for centuries as a method for
calming nerves, lowering blood pressure, and
boosting the immune system, though more clinical
research is needed.

Australian Buloke (Bark)

Algae Allocasuarina luehmannii
Chlorophyta This Australian native, evergreen ironwood tree
is ranked by the Janka Hardness test as having
Algae is not a plant, but rather a group of
the hardest wood in the world. For comparison,
photosynthetic organisms with complex and diverse
the Buloke hardness value is roughly double the
biological processes. One of these processes are algal
hardness rating of common hardwood options such
blooms, or the rapid increase in localized unicellular
as oak or maple.
algae populations, which have become a common
occurrence in freshwater and/or marine water
systems. Blooms can result from the introduction of
nutrients, such as fertilizer runoff, into an aquatic
system. Eutrophication, or rampant algal blooms
can block sunlight from other organisms and deplete
aquatic oxygen levels. However it’s not all bad, algae
are a potential biofuel source and could be used for
carbon sequestration.

Arctic Moss
Calliergon giganteum
An aquatic plant found on lake beds in the frozen
tundra, this plant has no wood, stems, flowers, or
proper roots. Instead, arctic moss stores nutrients
for the formation of new leaves in the spring, and is

16 MEDICA PLANTARUM Enjoy the wonderful world of plants & fungi! Not for resale. For personal use only.
Ayahuasca (Vine)
Banisteriopsis caapi
Ayahuasca is a psychoactive brew commonly made
from Banisteriopsis caapi vines or stems. Those
drinking the beverage seek a spiritual awakening
and deeper understanding of themselves. This
journey typically takes a whole evening and is
accompanied with vomiting to purge negative
energy from the body. This brew is commonly used
ceremoniously and medicinally among Amazonian
indegnous cultures.
Bamboo (Shoot)
Bambusoideae
Native to Southeast Asia and parts of Northern
Australia, bamboos are some of the fastest growing
plants in the world, with records reporting a growth
rate of 91 cm per day. Once started this growth is
hard to contain and bamboo will forcefully break
through containers to expand. Bamboo has large
cultural and economic importance in many cultures
and can be used as a building material, weapon,
and food source.
Banana (Peel, Leaves)
Mus acuminata
As a ubiquitous food staple the banana has become
a cultural icon. Bananas have been the subject of
art and song, with a person slipping on a banana
peel being a mainstay of American physical
comedy. In Thai and Malay cultures banana trees
are associated with ghosts and spirits, while in
numerous Southeast Asian cultures banana trees
are used in wedding ceremonies. Unfortunately,
bananas have additionally become icons of racism,
particularly over the last decade. The plant itself
has numerous uses aside from culinary, banana
leaves are waterproof and make for good packaging
and plateware, while some cultures harvest banana
fiber for textiles and paper. Interestingly, bananas
are clonal making their production simpler but
susceptible to disease. This played out in the
1950s when the Gros Michel, the world’s primary
banana variety, became commercially inviable due
to disease, and has since been replaced with the
Cavendish variety, resistant to that disease.
Baobab (Bark)
Adansonia digitata
Considered a bewitched plant in African folklore,
Baobab trees are often long-lived, grotesque
plants, with an “up-side down” look to them. A few
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indegenioius African cultures share a similar origin
myth where an Elephant frightened the maternal
ancestor of the baobab, which is why the tree
grows up-side down. Other West African myths,
potentially influenced by the spread of Islam after
the 7th century, say that a divine entity planted
the tree up-side down to keep in from walking away
or complaining. These stories have led to the idea
that Baobab trees result from overnight magic or
possession by ancestral spirits as they move from
location to location.
Bearberry (Berry)
Arctostaphylos
Bearberries are dwarf shrubs adapted to arctic and
subarctic climates often growing on gravel or sandy
surfaces. Bearberries produce a bright red berry
that can be consumed, though large doses can cause
vomiting and tinnitus. Combined with other plants,
bearberry has been used by indigenous cultures for
spiritual and religious ceremonies. Some species in
this genus also grow in high altitudes.
Bog Labrador Tea (Leaves)
Rhododendron groenlandicum
Labrador tea is a cold climate plant with hairy,
fuzzy leaves and tiny, fragrant white flowers, often
growing in bogs, muskegs, and open tundra. The
leaves are regularly used by Indegenious peoples for
medicinal herbal tea, alleviating coughs and colds.
Borage (Dried Flower)
Borago officinalis
Borage has a distinctive red and blue star-shaped
flower with a sweet almost honey-esque taste. As an
herbal medicine, borage has been used to alleviate
gastrointestinal as well as respiratory issues.
Culturally, borage is said to bring courage and
strength of character, and was consumed by Celtic
warriors prior to battle.
Brassicas
Brassica oleracea
Touted as the ‘Dog of the Plant World’ by researchers,
Brassica oleracea is a clear example of plant
domestication. Over time, selective breeding for
various traits has created strong morphotypes such
as broccoli, kale, cabbage, cauliflower, brussels
sprouts, and kohlrabi.
MEDICA PLANTARUM 17
 Brassica oleracea has become an important, and
diverse culinary plant. Additionally, Brassicas are
all cruciferous vegetables and when eaten raw can
cause bloating and gas.
Burmese Lacquer
Gluta usitata
An endangered species in Southeast Asia, this
tree has a wide variety of uses, most notably as a
lacquer and glue. Some species in the Gluta genus
have accrescent, winged-like petals attached to the
fruit functioning almost like a glider or whirlybird,
catching the wind for further dispersal.
Burnet Rose (Petals / Prickles)
Rosa pimpinelifolia
This particular species of rose has a coastal
distribution found among sand dunes or limestone
pavements. Like many species of Rosa, the burnet
rose has bristles and prickles, however these are
numerous, stiff, and straight. As the plant matures,
these prickles transition from bright scarlet to a
deep maroon, and often resemble blood. The burnet
rose flower petals are typically creamy white, though
on rare occasions they are pale pink.
California Redwood (Bark)
Sequoia sempervirens
This long-lived evergreen includes the tallest living
tree on Earth (Hyperion in Redwood National Park).
With individuals reaching around 380 ft in height
and 30 feet in diameter, the California redwood is
simply massive. As with all trees, gravity limits tree
height as transporting water from the roots to the
top becomes increasingly difficult.
However, given the frequency of fog in the California
redwood coastal range water can be absorbed at the
top of the tree through the leaves and bark, which
enables redwoods to grow tall. Sequoia bark is thick,
soft, and fibrous with a dark red-brown color. Given
its thickness, redwood bark can protect mature
trees from fire.
names such as hashish, weed, bhang, ganja,
pakalolo, reefer and so on. Today, Cannabis strains
(cultivars) are typically grown for two cannabinoids:
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which has a
psychoactive, euphoric sensation and cannabidiol
(CBD), which is used more medicinally than THC .
However, these are not the only compounds found
in cannabis buds. Commonly referred to as the
entourage effect, smoking the bud can unlock a
whole suite of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids,
and other compounds which will vary in presence
and concentration from strain to strain.
Carolina Reaper
Ghost pepper (Capsicum chinense x Capsicum
frutescens) x Habanero (Capsicum chinense var.
habanero)
Rated more than 1.6 million scoville heat units
on average (highest individual coming in at 2.2
million SHU), the carolina reaper is considered the
hottest pepper in the world. For reference, common
tabasco ranks at around 3,750 SHU. It has been
described as having a fruity, almost sweet initial
bite that quickly morphs into intense “molten
lava” heat. Consuming one causes an immediate,
sometimes violent physical reaction including
salivating, redness, sweating, burning, coughing,
headaches and general discomfort. Similar to other
hot peppers, Carolina Reapers have the active
ingredient capsaicin (see Cayenne), which can be
found in high concentration (around 2 million SHU)
in some military-grade pepper sprays.

Cannabis (Buds)
Cannabis sativa
Cannabis has a long history of cultivation and
human use ranging from fiber for rope, to medicinal
and psychedelic properties. Culturally, Cannabis is
present in religious and spiritual ceremonies across
the globe and has a rich nomenclature, with cultural

18 MEDICA PLANTARUM Enjoy the wonderful world of plants & fungi! Not for resale. For personal use only.
Carrot (Taproot)
Daucus carota
Selectively bred from wild carrot to increase the
taproot, cultivated carrots come in a variety of colors
and contain high quantities of alpha- and beta-
carotene. While both carotenoids are metabolized
into Vitamin A, a necessary vitamin for sight,
Vitamin A does not improve sight. This adage was
popularized by the British during World War II,
purporting that Royal Air Force pilots could see
better at night based on a high carrot diet. Some
suspect this myth was created (or perpetuated) to
disguise the invention of radar.
Castor Bean (Seed, Oil)
Ricinus communis
Castor seed is the source of castor oil, and a high
concentration of ricin, a toxin. The plant has light
pollen and triggers a strong asthma and allergic
response. Due to the presence of ricin in the seeds,
many consider the Castor bean to be the world’s
most poisonous, common plant.
Catnip
Nepeta cataria
Related to the mint family, Catnip plants (Nepeta
cataria and other Nepeta species) contain volatile
oils, sterols, acids, and tannins. In cats these
volatile oils trigger a behavior similar to females in
heat. This is nonaddictive or harmful to cats.
Cayenne (Fruit)
Capsicum annuum var Cayenne
A moderately hot chili pepper found in tropical
regions of the world contains the active component
capsaicin, which makes chili peppers hot. In low
concentrations, capsaicin can be used as an analgesic
in topical ointments to relieve pain. Additionally,
capsaicinoids are common active ingredients in
personal defense agents such as pepper spray.
Citron (Intact Pitam)
Citrus medica
A slow-growing shrub that produces a fragrant,
yellow citrus fruit with a bumpy rind. Citron has
been used to combat sickness and scurvy. Known
as etrog in Hebrew, citron is used in the Jewish
harvest holiday of Sukkot. Citron’s with an intact
pitam (a stigma and style) are particularly valuable,
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while citrons without an intact style are no longer
considered kosher.
Clover (Four-Leafed)
Trifolium repens
Trifolium repens can fix nitrogen and out-compete
weeds, making it a good cover crop for field and
lawn management. Additionally, clover makes an
excellent forage crop for livestock. Clover leaves
naturally group in threes (trifoliolate), however they
will rarely have an extra fourth leaf. In folklore,
four-leaf clovers are considered rare, and lucky. An
actual survey measured the frequency of regular to
four-leafed clovers at roughly 5,000 to 1.
Coca (Leaves)
Erythroxylaceae coca
Native to tropical jungles and higher altitudes,
coca plants produce thin, oval-shaped leaves with
red berries. Coca is known for its psychoactive
component, cocaine. Coca leaves have relatively
low amounts of cocaine, and the leaves are used
as a stimulant to overcome fatigue, hunger, and
thirst. Further, coca leaves have been used as an
anesthetic, and vasoconstrictor. Raw coca leaves,
chewed or consumed in tea, are rich in essential
minerals such as calcium, potassium, and
numerous vitamins.
Coffee (Seeds)
Coffea arabica
Native to tropical jungles, the seeds (often called
beans) of Coffea arabica are a widely traded
commodity accounting for roughly 60-80% of the
world’s coffee production. Coffee trees produce
edible red fruits, known as coffee cherries, which
contain two seeds. Both the fruits and seeds contain
large amounts of caffeine, a psychoactive stimulant.
Comfrey (Leaves, Roots)
Symphytum officinale
Common comfrey requires wet soil to grow, and is
typically found along river banks and damp, grassy
places. Traditionally, poultices of comfrey leaves
and roots were used topically to treat joint pain,
sprains, or bone fractures though their medicinal
effects require more clinical study.
MEDICA PLANTARUM 19
 Corpse Flower
Amorphophallus titanum
Gaining large-scale notoriety over the last two
decades, the corpse flower is an oddity in the
flowering plant world. It has the largest unbranched
flowering structure (inflorescence) in the world,
coupled with the deep burgundy spathe it’s a sight
to behold. As the spathe gradually opens, the spike
inflorescence releases powerful odors that mimic
carrion or rotting meat, to attract insect pollinators.
This odor gives the plant its name and increases in
fragrance to time potency with increased pollinator
activity. If that wasn’t enough, it takes 7-10 years for
the corpse flower to bloom for the first time, turning
the natural process into an event people line up to
see.
Dagger Plant (Leaves)
Yucca aloifolia
Yucca aloifolia is typically found on sandy dunes
along the coast in hot and arid environments. The
trunk is armed with sharp, dagger-like leaves that
can slash those not careful.
Damiana (Leaves)
Turnera diffusa
This fragrant subtropical low growing plant with
yellow flowers, has been used by indigenous cultures
as an aphrodisiac. Consuming the leaves has a
purported increase to sexual arousal and stamina
in both women and men.
Dandelion (Root, Leaves, Pappus)
Taraxcum officinale
A member of the largest family of flowering plants,
the Asteraceae, dandelion is a common weed found
across temperate grasslands. As the dandelion head
dries during maturity, pappus (parachutes) open
into a full sphere. When development is complete,
the parachutes detach and disperse mature seeds
along the wind. As a commonplace plant, dandelions
have many uses including: textile dyes, culinary
beverages, and rubber (latex) production. Further,
dandelion has served as a long-standing medicinal
plant in Chinese and indegenious cultures. With a
dose of potent antioxidants and nutrients, herbalists
find that it can treat numerous ailments.
20 MEDICA PLANTARUM Enjoy the wonderful world of plants & fungi! Not for resale. For personal use only.
Deadly Nightshade (Berry)
Atropa belladonna
A perennial bushy herb, with dull purple flowers
in the same family as potatoes and tomatoes. The
shiny, ink-like berries are considered poisonous
to humans creating hallucinogenic and even
lethal effects the more berries consumed. Given
its distribution around Central and Eastern
Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, deadly
nightshade has a long history of poison, with the
genus Atropa being named after Atropos, a Greek
Fate responsible for ending life.
Duckweed
Wolffia
Found in freshwater and marshes, the flower of the
duckweed genus is the smallest known, measuring
about 0.3 mm long. Duckweed is a high source of
protein, and is good at absorbing excess nutrients
(bioremediation), particularly nitrogen in aquatic
systems. Similar to algae, duckweed is being studied
as a biofuel due to its rapid growth and carbon
sequestration potential.
Dynamite Tree (Capsules)
Hura crepitans
The pumpkin-shaped capsules (fruiting bodies) of
the dynamite tree can explode when ripe, forcefully
ejecting seeds at 70 meters per second (160 mph).
This violent dispersal method, known as explosive
dehiscence, can propel seeds 30 meters (roughly
100 ft) on average.
Echinacea
Echinacea purpurea
Native to North American woods and prairies,
Echinacea is a genus of flowering plants with
beautiful purple petals and a distinctive, spiky
red seed head or cone. has served as an herbal
medicine for centuries. Echinacea has been used
by indegenous cultures and herbalists to treat
insect bites, toothaches, cramps, coughs, and
some inflammatory conditions. Research into
these medicinal properties shows that Echinacea
stimulates the immune response by mobilizing
leukocytes (white blood cells) and activating
phagocytosis, the major mechanism for removing
pathogens.
Elderberry
Sambucus nigra
A common plant found in sunny locations in
temperate climates across Europe, Elderberry is
known for its dark colored berries. In their raw
form, these berries are mildly poisonous, however
when cooked they make for good jam, syrups, and
chutneys. The flowerheads are used in infusions
and liquors. Elder has a long history of household
medicinal use, with herbalists using Elderberry for
fevers and coughs. In English and Scandinavian
folklore Elder is associated with witchcraft,
specifically the Elder Mother, a villainous spirit.
Ergot Fungus
Claviceps purpurea
Ergot fungal infections typically target rye or other
related grains and contain high concentrations of
ergotamine and lysergic acid, a precursor to LSD.
Ergot alkaloids can lead to hallucinations and
irrational behavior. The Greek poet Homer wrote
of the drink kykeon, a psychoactive brew made of
barley, ergot fungus, and pennyroyal.
Eucalyptus (Leaves , Oil)
Eucalyptus globulus
Fire plays an important role in shaping the
landscape of flora creating a natural cycle of
growing and burning, clearing out older plants
for newer plant growth and enriching the soil.
Many Eucalypts, a name of several closely related
genera including Eucalyptus, have fire-adaptive
traits particularly epicormic buds. Protected by
thick layers of bark, epicormic buds sprout after a
trigger, such as sustaining damage from a fire. This
epicormic sprouting can lead to rapid regenerative
growth. In addition to quick regrowth after a fire,
secreted Eucalyptus oil is highly flammable when
heated. Combined these traits give Eucalypts a
competitive advantage for resources compared to
other neighboring plants.
Fairy Fire
Panelluses stipticus
A bioluminescent fungi present on decaying
wood similar to the ghost fungi. In folklore, some
ascribe the mysterious will-o’-wisp sightings to the
bioluminescence of the fairy fire fungi.
Not for resale. For personal use only. Enjoy the wonderful world of plants & fungi!
Fantsiolotse (Thorns)
Alluaudia ascendens
Endemic to Madagascar, this succulent tree is an
oddity even among the plant world. Interspersed
around the reddish-green heart-shaped leaves are
a series of 1-inch thorns which serve to protect the
plant from herbivory.
Fig (Fruit)
Ficus carica
Native to the Mediterranean and Western Asia, figs
are a well known fruit and important commercial
crop, while fig trees feature prominently in religions
and mythologies. Figs are mentioned in the Quran,
the books of the Tanakh, and New Testament Bible,
with the Sahih al-Bukhari hadith recording figs as
paradisiacal fruits.
Flycatcher Sandwort
Arenaria bryophylla
Arenaria bryophylla is a densely tufted plant with
white, stalkless flowers and rigid shiny leaves.
Found in the Himalayas, this plant grows in
altitudes ranging from 4300 - 6180 meters.
Furze (Pods)
Ulex europaeus
Native to the British Isles and Western Europe,
Furze is legume that smells like coconut. The pods
are dark purplish-brown and contain 2 or 3 small
hard seeds. In hot weather, the pods split open with
an audible popping sound ejecting the seeds.
Ghost Fungi
Omphalotus nidiformis
The ghost fungi is known for its bioluminescent
properties, and can be seen at night as a pale
whitish glow at the base of trees. This fungus
is both saprotrophic, gaining nourishment from
decaying matter, and parasitic as it’s fruiting bodies
are generally found growing on dead or dying trees.
Ghost Pipe
Monotropa uniflora
Found in scattered temperate zones in Asia, and the
Americas this perennial plant has distinctive thin,
MEDICA PLANTARUM 21
 white, translucent bracts. Unlike most plants, ghost
pipe contains no chlorophyll, gaining its nutrients
from its parasitic relationship to some fungi and
trees. As it does not require sunlight for energy,
ghost pipe is often found in the dark understory of
forests.
Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo is a very old plant genus, with fossils dating
back 200 million years. Native to China this tree
has distinctive leaves and are popular choices for
cultivation. Ginkgo trees are incredibly long-lived and
some research suggests that they do not experience
senescence, or deterioration with aging, effectively
making them unlikely to die of old age. Further,
Ginkgo has a long history of traditional medicine
often citing its benefits on cognitive function and
memory retention, though studies report this with
mixed effects.
Grapevine (Tendrils)
Vitis vinifera
Grapevines are a common cultivated plant
predominantly used for the direct consumption and
fermentation of the fruit. Grapevine tendrils are
specialized stems that support the climbing plant by
twining onto surrounding structures. These tendrils
are sensitive to touch and accelerate growth in that
direction (thigmotropic).
Haworthia
Haworthia cooperi
Endemic to South Africa, this coastal rosette plant
grows just under the sand with only its leaf tips
sticking in the open. Interestingly, in some species of
Haworthia these leaf tips are transparent, allowing
sunlight to pass through to the chlorophyll waiting
in the leaves below the sand.
Hawthorn
Crataegus monogyna
A small tree with dull brown bark and bright red
fruits. Common across Europe and the parts of the
Mediterranean coast, this plant has been regarded
as an emblem of hope across numerous cultures
and folklore. In the Christian faith, some suppose
that hawthorn was the source of Jesus’ crown of
thorns. The Celts believed that the hawthorn plant
was affiliated with the Fae and said to heal a broken
22 MEDICA PLANTARUM Enjoy the wonderful world of plants & fungi! Not for resale. For personal use only.
heart, while Balkan cultures believe hawthorn is
essential for killing vampires. Numerous cultures
believed that hawthorns, particularly lone
hawthorns, originate from lightning strikes.
Herb-of-grace
Ruta graveolens
Native to the Balkan Peninsula, Ruta graveolens
can be found in gardens worldwide. Grown for its
bluish, bitter, fragrant leaves this plant can serve as
a mild natural insecticide and is steeped in folklore.
During the Middle Ages, herb-of-grace was a sign of
purity, used to ward off witches and protect against
epidemics and plagues. Bathing with herb-of-grace
became a practice to remove purported curses
from the body. In Germanic mythology basilisks
petrification had no effect on this plant, and in
parts of India it still carries the association as a
snake repellent.
Horny Goat Weed
Epimedium alpinum
With a distinctive spider-like flower, Epimedium
alpinum has been used in traditional medicine as
an aphrodisiac. In lab studies, Icariin, a flavonoid
compound found in Epimedium species, has shown
inhibition of PDE5 in a similar (though weaker)
fashion to other erectile dysfunction medication.
Horny goat weed is purported to act as a vasodilator,
increasing penile blood pressure.
Hyssop
Hyssopus officinalis
A brightly colored shrub that produces fragrant pink,
blue, or white flowers. Hyssop is tolerant of sandy
soils and warm climates, giving it some drought-
resistance capabilities. Hyssop has been used for
centuries in traditional medicine, specifically to treat
coughing and sore throats. Essential oils generated
from this plant contain thujone and phenol which
have antiseptic properties.
Jade Plant
Crassula ovata
An ornamental succulent that has become a
common house or desk plant. In the tradition of
Feng Shui, jade plants are renowned for good luck.
Jewelweed
Impatiens capensis
Jewelweed is a widely distributed and common plant
across North America, often found in forested edges
of creeks, marshes, and bogs. Indegenious cultures
have been using leaf and stem sap as a remedy for
poison ivy.
Kelp
Laminariales
Kelp is a heterokont. Heterokonts are groups of
multicellular organisms such as brown algae.
Growing in shallow oceans, kelp forests can host a
diversity of animals. Kelp and the marine diversity
kelp forests have sustained coastal settlements for
thousands of years. Commercially, kelp ash is a good
source of iodine and alkali, while alginate is used
as a thickener in ice cream, jelly, and toothpaste.
Kombu, a species of kelp, is a key ingredient in
Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cooking imparting
an umami taste. Kelp is also being researched by
environmentalists and geneticists as a carbon sink
to help course correct the negative effects of climate
change.
Kudzu
Pueraria montana
Kudzu is a rapidly growing vine native to Southeast
Asia. Considered invasive in North America, this
climbing, often smothering noxious weed can be
found blanketing landscapes in the Southeastern
United States. Due to its rapid growth it can
outcompete native species, often blocking vital
resources such as sunlight and crushing neighbors
with its weight.
Lightning Jewel Orchid (Leaves)
Meacodes petola
A species of jeweled orchid endemic to tropical
forests of Southeast Asia. Often prized for its
unique foliage, this plant has a distinctive yellow
venation that pierces the leaves, resembling a
frozen lightning strike. Due to increased interest by
botanical collectors, this plant is currently listed as
vulnerable with restricted trade due to risk of over
collection.
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Living Stone
Lithops fulviceps
Endemic to Southern Africa, Living stones are
found in rocky areas and cold deserts. The leaves
of living stones are mostly buried beneath the soil,
with a translucent top surface known as a leaf
window, which allows light to enter the interior of
the leaves for photosynthesis. Interestingly, these
leaf windows are patterned in various shades of
grey and brown, which give the leaves a striking
resemblance to stone.
Lotus (Flower)
Nelumbo nucifera
Adapted to flood plains, deltas, and slow moving
rivers these plants have a large native distribution
that includes most of Asia. A powerful icon,
lotus is considered a sacred species to Hindus,
Buddhists, and Jains, with the flower acting as
a seat or holy item for divine figures. To Hindus
the lotus symbolizes inner potential and the flow
of energy through the chakras. To Buddhists, the
lotus represents purity of the body, speech, and
mind. Other parts of the plant, namely the seeds,
leaves, and rhizomes have been used as traditional
medicines, lowering blood sugar levels, fever, and
inflammation. While Nelumbo nucifera has some
psychoactive properties, it should not be confused
with Blue Lotus, originally found along the Nile
river, which has strong psychoactive properties.
Magic Mushrooms
Psilocybe cubensis
This reddish-brown species of psychedelic mushroom
contains the active compound psilocybin. When
ingested, psilocybin with its dephosphorylated
counterpart psilocin produces a mind-altering effect
similar to LSD (see ergot fungus) and mescaline (see
peyote). Additionally, effects can include euphoria,
hallucinations, and panic attacks.
Maize
Zea mays
Maize, or corn, is one of the most recognizable
staple food crops in the world, with total production
surpassing both wheat and rice. In addition to its
culinary versatility, maize is used for ethanol and
other biofuels, animal feed, and bourbon whiskey. A
favorite organism of study for plant scientists, maize
has served as a model for plant domestication,
breeding, cytogenetics, genomics and more for
almost a century.
MEDICA PLANTARUM 23
 Marsh-mallow (Root)
Althaea officinalis
In herbal medicine, marsh-mallow is used to help
loosen mucus within the body. As such, herbalists
use it to relieve irritation of mucous membranes,
with root syrup being sold to treat minor respiratory
ailments. While modern marshmallow treats do
not contain any marsh-mallow root, the original
confection was created from this plant.
Mediterrean Cypress
Cupressus sempervirens
Native to the mediterranean region, this tree has
been widely cultivated as an ornamental. Classically,
this plant is reflective of mourning and even today,
is a common fixture in cemeteries.
Mistletoe (Berries)
Viscum album
Mistletoe is a common name for numerous species
of hemiparasitic plants that extract water and
nutrients from a variety of host trees. There are
many species of mistletoe with almost all exhibiting
some levels of toxicity, particularly in the leaves and
berries. While mistletoe is closely associated with
the Christian winter holiday of Christmas it has
much wider, and older cultural origins. The Ancient
Greeks and Celts associated the white berries with
male fertility. In Norse mythology mistletoe plays a
central role in the death of Baldr and the punishment
of Loki. As Christianity swept through the Western
world, mistletoe was first associated with protection
from witches and demons, eventually morphing into
a kissing tradition in the 18th century.
Moss Sunray
Hyalosperma demissum
Typically found on rocky outcrops in dry forests
or grasslands, this tiny daisy is easily invaded by
competing weeds, or trampled by curious animals.
This plant is currently listed as endangered by
the Tasmanian government to where this plant is
endemic.
Motherwort
Leonurus cardiaca
With a global distribution and often found near
roadsides, motherwort is a plant associated with
soothing, maternal energy. It is often used to remove
24 MEDICA PLANTARUM Enjoy the wonderful world of plants & fungi! Not for resale. For personal use only.
melancholy, calm the nerves, and ward off evil
spirits.
Nutmeg (Seed)
Myristica fragrans
Two spices can be derived from Myristica fragrans:
Nutmeg, from the seed and mace from the seed coat.
Powderized, Nutmeg can cause allergic reactions
and when ingested in larger quantities, induce a
lucid-dream state resulting in psychoactive and
even amnesic effects. Some believe that nutmeg
promotes a heightened spiritual state, opening the
mind for spiritual/astral journeys and clairvoyance.
Oats (Milky Stage)
Avena sativa
Milky oats are simply oatgrass harvested during
the ‘milky’ stage of development, during which oat
tops release a white, milky sap when squeezed.
Milky oats are an excellent source of vitamins and
minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. As
an herbal remedy, milky oats can ease the effects of
stress, exhaustion, or sleeplessness. Unfortunately,
this milky stage only lasts for about a week, right
when the plant begins flowering and before the
seeds (oat grains) harden.
Passionflower
Passiflora incarnata
Identified by their intricate flowers with blueish-
purple and white petals and prominent styles
and stamens, passion flowers are a fast-growing
perennial vine that can quickly blanket vegetative
floors. Medicinally, passion flowers have purported
sedative effects and the potential to relieve stress
and exhaustion, as well as curb eye strain.
Pennyroyal (Leaves)
Mentha pulegium
Crushed pennyroyal leaves smell strongly of
spearmint and historically have been used to flavor
herbal teas and foods. Pennyroyal has been used
as an emmenagogue, stimulating blood flow to the
uterus. In larger doses it can cause the uterine
lining to contract and shed potentially resulting in
a miscarriage in pregnant women. The Greek poet
Homer wrote of the drink kykeon, a psychoactive
brew made of barley, ergot fungus, and pennyroyal.
Peyote (Buttons)
Lophophora williamsii
A small, slow growing, desert cactus native to
Mexico and Southwestern Texas. The above-ground
portion contains buttons, rich in the psychoactive
alkaloid mescaline, which can be chewed or boiled
in water to produce a hallucinogenic effect. For
centuries peyote has been used ceremoniously and
medicinally by indigenous cultures.
Pineapple
Ananas comosus
A culinary staple, pineapple is a tropical edible fruit
often considered a luxury and cultural icon. Present
in all parts of pineapple is the enzyme bromelain,
which can be used as a meat marinade and
tenderizer. It is this enzyme that makes your tongue
feel a bit raw when consuming fresh pineapple.
Pitcher Plants
Sarracenia purpurea
Pitcher plants grow in locations where the soil is too
poor in minerals and/or too acidic for most plants
to survive, instead supplementing their nutrients
through their trapped insect prey. Pitcher plants
have evolved numerous ways to trap prey, from
snap traps using rapid leaf movements, pitfall traps
with slippery walls or hairs to prevent insects from
climbing out, or even flypaper traps with sticky
mucilage. Inside these pitchers is an acidic digestive
environment to break down prey for absorption.
Poppy (Seed Pods)
Papaver somniferum
Poppy is a well known plant with a long history
of human cultivation and was the central subject
of two wars between the 1830s and 1860s. Today,
poppy seeds are a popular accompaniment to
milled and baked goods, while poppyseed oil has
been used by painters for binding and thinning
pigments. Popularly, poppies are known for the
dried milky latex produced by the seed pods, or
opium, though this varies from variety to variety.
Opium contains naturally occurring opiates such
as codeine, morphine, which can be processed into
diacetylmorphine (heroin), as well as thebaine and
oripavine, which can be processed into hydrocodone
and oxycodone. The principal action of opiates are
to relieve or suppress pain, though they also induce
sedation and may impart a state of euphoria.
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Prickly Pear (Glochids)
Opuntia basilaris
A segmented cactus found in the desert Southwest
of the United States. A single plant may consist of
hundreds of fleshy, flat, rounded cladodes, or large
pads. Like most Opuntia species these are spineless,
but have small, barbed bristles called glochids.
Reishi Mushroom
Ganoderma lingzhi
Complete with a red, almost leathery, cap, fan
shape, and lack of gills, Reishi mushrooms are an
odd looking fungus. Found in Asia as a parasite or
saprotroph (nutrients from decaying matter), Reishi
mushrooms grow at the base of deciduous trees,
especially that of the maple tree. These mushrooms
have a long history in Chinese literature and art,
with ancient scholars noting that these fungi were
eaten as drugs of immortality. Other scholars equate
Reishi mushrooms as a boost to qi, specifically the
heart. Artistically, ‘picking lingzhi’ is a recurring
inspiration and the fungi itself often symbolizes
great health and longevity.
Resurrection Moss
Selaginella lepidophylla
Native to the Chihuahuan desert, this resurrection
moss can survive almost complete desiccation,
curling into a tight ball, uncurling only when
exposed to moisture. Studies show that resurrection
moss can survive several years in this condition,
and lose up to 95% of its moisture content without
suffering damage. Resurrection moss is sold as a
novelty item across the desert Southwestern United
States, allowing anyone to witness this miraculous
resurrection.
MEDICA PLANTARUM 25
 Rice
Oryza sativa
Rice is a commonly grown staple crop with worldwide
cultivation. With the exception of upland rice, most
rice is cultivated on submerged land (paddy), with
water levels ranging from 5-10 cm. While rice can
tolerate periods of flooding, good irrigation practices
are necessary to encourage rice but prevent weed
growth.
Saguaro (Spines)
Carnegiea gigantea
Native to the Sonoran desert in Southwest North
America, saguaro cacti have a distinctive silhouette
with their first side arm growing around 50-100
years of age. Adapted for long periods of drought,
saguaros can visibly swell to store water, with their
ribs acting as funnels channeling water directly to
the base of the cactus. Saguaro spines are incredibly
sharp, growing up to 3 inches long. As with most
spines they serve as protection, puncturing deeply
and often breaking off causing deep tissue splinters
that are difficult to remove.
Saw Palmetto (Leaves)
Serenoa repens
Saw Palmettos are a subtropical palm endemic
to the coastal plains of the Southeastern United
States. This plant is a fan palm with 15-20 leaflets
per petiole. These leaflets and petioles are armed
with sharp, saw-like teeth that can easily cut skin.
Scotch broom (Pods)
Cytisus scoparius
Adapted to the Mediterranean and coastal climates,
this legume is sensitive to frost. In hotter weather,
the mature black pods audibly crack open dispersing
the seeds. In folklore broom was said to tame wild
horses and dogs, with others believing burning
broom could stop witches.
Slippery Elm
Ulmus rubra
Thriving in moist upland environments, slippery
elm is widely used in dietary-supplements and
traditional medicine. The inner bark is mucilaginous
and has long been used as a soothing coating
(demulcent) helping with sore throats, constipation,
burns, and cold sores.
26 MEDICA PLANTARUM Enjoy the wonderful world of plants & fungi! Not for resale. For personal use only.
Small poranthera
Poranthera microphylla
A small and slender annual with narrow, delicate
leaves and clusters of small white flowers. This
plant has a typical mature height of 10 cm.
Spotted Water Hemlock (Seeds, Roots,
Leaves)
Cicuta maculata
Deceptively, Cicuta species are often mistaken for
edible plants such as wild celery, wild parsnip, and
wild carrot. A hardy plant capable of living in a
variety of environments, they are typically found
near the shoreline of lakes, rivers, swamps, or
marshes. Water hemlocks produce cicutoxin at all
stages of development and in all tissues, with the
highest concentration in the roots. Depending on
the amount consumed, cicutoxin poisoning can
result in nausea, confusion, and seizures as soon as
15 minutes after ingestion. Fatalities have occured
within a few hours of ingestion. Water hemlock
is considered one of North American’s most toxic
plants.
St. John’s Wort
Hypericum perforatum
St. John’s wort has been used as a traditional
medicine for centuries and remains commercially
cultivated. The red, oily extract has been used to
treat wounds and was heavily favored during the
crusades by the Order of St. John or more commonly
known, the Knights Hospitaller. In folklore, a
blooming St. John’s wort was hung on a door to
ward off evil spirits.

Sunflower (Heads, Seeds, Oil)
Helianthus annuus
Composed of both annuals and perennials, the
genus Helianthus has a wide distribution originating
in the Americas. Cultivated sunflower (Helianthus
annuus) is an instantly recognizable plant with global
ornamental, confectionary, and oil uses. During
growth, sunflowers exhibit heliotropism, tilting their
heads to face the sun, tracking its progression over
the course of the day. Given its vibrant colors and
diverse utility, sunflowers can be found in numerous
religions, myths, and folklore. Deemed the ‘oil
without sin,’ sunflower was widespread across
Eastern Europe by the 1800s for its use as a cooking
oil during the religious observance of Lent, when the
luxuries of butter and lard were temporarily given
up by the Russian Orthodox Church. Moreover, the
phenomenon of solar tracking was reflected in the
Greek myth of Clytie and her adoration of Helios the
sun god. While in Chinese symbolism sunflowers
are very auspicious representing luck and long life.
Tulsi
Ocimum tenuiflorum
Tulsi or holy basil is cultivated for religious and
herbal medicine purposes. Originating in Northern
India, this plant is now cultivated and naturalized
to a global distribution. In Hinduism, tulsi is
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considered the holiest of all plants and a threshold
point between heaven and Earth. As a sacred plant,
tulsi is regarded as an Earthly manifestation of the
goddess Lakshmi, a consort of the god Vishnu. As
an extension of this relationship, tulsi leaves are
used to worship Vishnu and his avatars in a large
denomination of Hinduism known as Vaishnavism.
Turmeric (Rhizome)
Curcuma longa
A staple of Asian, particularly Indian, cuisine and
culture, turmeric is a popular global spice. Turmeric
rhizomes are dried and powdered to create a bright,
orange-yellow spice originally used as a dye. In
herbal medicine, turmeric powder is purported to
relieve mild digestive problems and be a general
wellness plant.
Vervain
Verbena hastata
Vervain is a plant in and out of Mediterrean and
European folklore. Believed to sprout up whenever
the goddess Isis was crying, Egyptians revered this
as an altar plant associating it with love. While
others used vervain to protect from lightning and
bad weather, opting to include vervain in offerings
to Thor and Zeus/Jupiter. Medicinally, herbalists
have used vervain to increase mental, emotional,
and spiritual well-being.
Wax Milkweed
Asclepias albicans
Native to the Mojave and Sonoran deserts, this
shrub’s sticklike branches are coated in a waxy
residue.
White Sage
Salvia apiana
This silvered colored desert shrub has been used by
indegenous cultures for centuries. Spiritually, white
sage leaves are rolled into smudge sticks and burned
to purify the body and home, while other cultures
found inhaling the sage smoke would remedy illness.
Many are concerned with the overharvesting of wild
white sage populations, and while it is not listed
on the Endangered Species List, there are concerns
about its distribution and future survival.
MEDICA PLANTARUM 27
 Willow (Bark)
Salix alba
Willow bark and leaves are commonly referenced by
ancient as well as indegenious cultures as herbal
remedies for aches and fever. Willow bark produces
salicin, which is metabolized in the body to salicylic
acid, a precursor of aspirin. Similar to citron, willow
is associated with the Jewish festival of Sukkot. In
East Asian cultures willow helps ward off evil spirits
or communicate with spirits of the dead.
Water lily
Nymphaea odorata
Water lilies are aquatic plants that can be found in
ponds, shallow lakes, or slow moving rivers across
the Americas. Both the leaves and flowers float,
with the leaves having a waterproof, waxy coating,
while the fragrant flowers open each day and close
at night. Once pollinated the developing fruit is
submerged underwater for maturation. In some
religions water lilies are associated with rebirth or
resurrection.

Wormwood
Artemisia absinthium
Wormwood is an ornamental plant typically grown
for the bitter compound Absinthin. It is a key
ingredient in the spirit absinthe and responsible
for its distinctive taste. Over the years, absinthe,
or the Green Fairy as it’s sometimes called, has
been associated with psychedelic, hallucinogenic
effects though there is no evidence to support this
scientifically.

Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Yarrow is a white flowered plant known for delicate
bipinnate leaves that can be found next to roadsides,
in meadows and along coastlines. Yarrow is often
planted as a companion plant to attract beneficial
pollinators, and many folktales and myths speak
to its purported medicinal properties. In Greek
mythology the great teacher Chiron instructs
Achilles to use yarrow on the battlefields of Troy to
treat wounds and staunch blood.

Yew Tree
Taxus baccata
An evergreen tree native to parts of Europe and
Eurasia the yew tree has become symbolic of death.
Due to a toxic compound called taxine, yews are
poisonous both by touch and ingestion, with high
enough quantities causing cardiac arrest. Yews are
also incredibly long-lived trees further enhancing
their association with death, either as a direct cause
or overcoming it through immortality. For these folk
reasons the yew tree, similar to the Mediterrean
Cypress, is a common fixture in cemeteries.
Acknowledgements: This labor of love wasn’t done
in a vacuum. I’d like to thank my plant scien-
tist colleagues and friends, specifically Drs. Nick
Batora and Laura Klein, for helping me proof the
ingredient content, and try to give the feeling of
herbalism as much as possible without overloading
the mechanic. I’d also like to thank the players of
my two campaigns for inspiring me to dive deeper
into TTRPGs, encouraging me to pursue this proj-
ect, and of course, beta-testing the mechanic. You
can find Rishi on twitter (@RishiMasalia)

28 MEDICA PLANTARUM Enjoy the wonderful world of plants & fungi! Not for resale. For personal use only.